Mobile robot with a head-based movement mapping scheme

ABSTRACT

A robotic system that includes a mobile robot and a remote input device. The input device may be a joystick that is used to move a camera and a mobile platform of the robot. The system may operate in a mode where the mobile platform moves in a camera reference coordinate system. The camera reference coordinate system is fixed to a viewing image provided by the camera so that movement of the robot corresponds to a direction viewed on a screen. This prevents disorientation during movement of the robot if the camera is panned across a viewing area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to the field of robotics.

2. Background Information

There is a growing need to provide remote health care to patients thathave a variety of ailments ranging from Alzheimers to stress disorders.To minimize costs it is desirable to provide home care for suchpatients. Home care typically requires a periodic visit by a health careprovider such as a nurse or some type of assistant. Due to financialand/or staffing issues the health care provider may not be there whenthe patient needs some type of assistance. Additionally, existing staffmust be continuously trained, which can create a burden on trainingpersonnel.

The assignee of this invention(s), InTouch-Health, Inc. markets a remotecontrolled mobile robot under the trademark COMPANION that can be usedby medical personnel to remotely “visit” patients. The COMPANION systemincludes a mobile robot with a camera, monitor, microphone, speakers,and other equipment that allow for two-way audio/visual communicationbetween the patient and someone operating the system from a remotelylocated computer.

The COMPANION system includes a joystick that can be manipulated to movea mobile platform of the robot. A forward pivot of the joystick causes acorresponding forward movement of the mobile platform. The joystickbutton can be depressed to move the camera and allow the user to pan aroom. Unfortunately, panning the camera may cause the forward viewingdirection depicted by the screen to be different than the forward vectorof the mobile platform. A forward pivot of the joystick will cause anangular movement of the robot relative to the field of view provided bythe robot camera. This can cause disorientation and in generalcomplicates movement of the robot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mobile robot system that is controlled through an input device. Thesystem includes a robot that has a camera located in a camera referencecoordinate system, and a mobile platform. The input device causesmovement of the camera, and movement of the mobile platform within thecamera reference coordinate system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a robotic system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an electrical system of a robot;

FIG. 3 is a further schematic of the electrical system of the robot;

FIG. 4 is side view of the robot;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a mapping scheme for a joystick of thesystem;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a holonomic platform of the robot;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a roller assembly of the holonomicplatform;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view showing a pedestal assembly of therobot;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an actuator of the pedestal assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a robotic system that includes a mobile robot and a remoteinput device. The input device may be a joystick that is used to move acamera and a mobile platform of the robot. The system may operate in amode where the mobile platform moves in a camera reference coordinatesystem. The camera reference coordinate system is fixed to a viewingimage provided by the camera so that movement of the robot correspondsto a direction viewed on a screen. This prevents disorientation duringmovement of the robot if the camera is panned across a viewing area.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 1shows a robotic system 10. The robotic system 10 includes a robot 12, abase station 14 and a remote control station 16. The remote controlstation 16 may be coupled to the base station 14 through a network 18.By way of example, the network 18 may be either a packet switchednetwork such as the Internet, or a circuit switched network such has aPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other broadband system. Thebase station 14 may be coupled to the network 18 by a modem 20 or otherbroadband network interface device.

The remote control station 16 may include a computer 22 that has amonitor 24, a camera 26, a microphone 28 and a speaker 30. The computer22 may also contain an input device 32 such as a joystick or a mouse.The joystick 32 may have a toggle button 33 that allows the system tooperate in two different modes. In one mode the robot moves in aplatform reference coordinate system. In another mode the robot moves ina camera reference coordinate system.

The control station 16 is typically located in a place that is remotefrom the robot 12. Although only one robot 12 and one station 16 areshown, it is to be understood that the system 10 may have a plurality ofrobots 12 and/or a plurality of remote stations that communicate throughthe broadband network. In general any number of robots 12 may becontrolled by any number of remote stations 16. For example, one remotestation 16 may be coupled to a plurality of robots 12, or one robot 12may be coupled to a plurality of remote stations 16.

The robot 12 includes a mobile platform 34 that is attached to a robothousing 36. Also attached to the robot housing 36 are a camera 38, amonitor 40, a microphone(s) 42 and, a speaker 44. The microphone 42 andspeaker 30 may create a stereophonic sound. The robot 12 may also havean antenna 45 that is wirelessly coupled to an antenna 46 of the basestation 14. The system 10 allows a user at the remote control station 16to move the robot 12 through the input device 32. The robot camera 38 iscoupled to the remote monitor 24 so that a user at the remote station 16can view a patient. Likewise, the robot monitor 40 is coupled to theremote camera 26 so that the patient can view the user. The microphones28 and 42, and speakers 30 and 44, allow for audible communicationbetween the patient and the user.

Each remote station computer 22 may operate Microsoft OS software andWINDOWS XP or other operating systems such as LINUX. The remote computer22 may also operate a video driver, a camera driver, an audio driver anda joystick driver. The video images may be transmitted and received withcompression software such as MPEG CODEC.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the robot 12. The robot 12 mayinclude a high level control system 50 and a low level control system52. The high level control system 50 may include a processor 54 that isconnected to a bus 56. The bus is coupled to the camera 38 by aninput/output (I/O) port 58, and to the monitor 40 by a serial outputport 60 and a VGA driver 62. The monitor 40 may include a touchscreenfunction that allows the patient to enter input by touching the monitorscreen.

The speaker 44 is coupled to the bus 56 by a digital to analog converter64. The microphone 42 is coupled to the bus 56 by an analog to digitalconverter 66. The high level controller 50 may also contain randomaccess memory (RAM) device 68, a non-volatile RAM device 70 and a massstorage device 72 that are all coupled to the bus 62. The mass storagedevice 72 may contain medical files of the patient that can be accessedby the user at the remote control station 16. For example, the massstorage device 72 may contain a picture of the patient. The user,particularly a health care provider, can recall the old picture and makea side by side comparison on the monitor 24 with a present video imageof the patient provided by the camera 38. The robot antennae 45 may becoupled to a wireless transceiver 74. By way of example, the transceiver74 may transmit and receive information in accordance with IEEE 802.11b.

The controller 54 may operate with a LINUX OS operating system. Thecontroller 54 may also operate MS WINDOWS along with video, camera andaudio drivers for communication with the remote control station 16.Video information may be transceived using MPEG CODEC compressiontechniques. The software may allow the user to send e-mail to thepatient and vice versa, or allow the patient to access the Internet. Ingeneral the high level controller 50 operates to control thecommunication between the robot 12 and the remote control station 16.

The high level controller 50 may be linked to the low level controller52 by serial ports 76 and 78. The low level controller 52 includes aprocessor 80 that is coupled to a RAM device 82 and non-volatile RAMdevice 84 by a bus 86. The robot 12 contains a plurality of motors 88and motor encoders 90. The encoders 90 provide feedback informationregarding the output of the motors 88. The motors 88 can be coupled tothe bus 86 by a digital to analog converter 92 and a driver amplifier94. The encoders 90 can be coupled to the bus 86 by a decoder 96. Therobot 12 also has a number of proximity sensors 98 (see also FIG. 1).The position sensors 98 can be coupled to the bus 86 by a signalconditioning circuit 100 and an analog to digital converter 102.

The low level controller 52 runs software routines that mechanicallyactuate the robot 12. For example, the low level controller 52 providesinstructions to actuate the movement platform to move the robot 12. Thelow level controller 52 may receive movement instructions from the highlevel controller 50. The movement instructions may be received asmovement commands from the remote control station 16. Although twocontrollers are shown, it is to be understood that the robot 12 may haveone controller controlling the high and low level functions.

The various electrical devices of the robot 12 may be powered by abattery(ies) 104. The battery 104 may be recharged by a batteryrecharger station 106 (see also FIG. 1). The low level controller 52 mayinclude a battery control circuit 108 that senses the power level of thebattery 104. The low level controller 52 can sense when the power fallsbelow a threshold and then send a message to the high level controller50. The high level controller 50 may include a power management softwareroutine that causes the robot 12 to move so that the battery 104 iscoupled to the recharger 106 when the battery power falls below athreshold value. Alternatively, the user can direct the robot 12 to thebattery recharger 106. Additionally, the battery 104 may be replaced orthe robot 12 may be coupled to a wall power outlet by an electrical cord(not shown).

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the robot 12. The robot 12 may include aholonomic platform 110 that is attached to a robot housing 112. Theholonomic platform 110 provides three degrees of freedom to allow therobot 12 to move in any direction.

The robot 12 may have a pedestal assembly 114 that supports the camera38 and the monitor 40. The pedestal assembly 114 may have two degrees offreedom so that the camera 26 and monitor 24 can be swiveled and pivotedas indicated by the arrows.

The platform 110 is located within a platform reference coordinatesystem that may have axes X_(p), Y_(p), and Z_(p). By way of example,the y-axis Y_(p) may extend from a nose of the platform 110. The camera38 is fixed to a camera reference coordinate system that may have axesX_(c), Y_(c) and Z_(c). The y-axis Y_(c) may extend perpendicular fromthe camera lens. When the robot is initialized, the y-axis Y_(c) of thecamera coordinate system may be aligned with the y-axis Y_(p) of theplatform coordinate system. A forward pivoting of the joystick 32 (shownin FIG. 1) may cause a corresponding movement of the platform 110 in thedirection of the y-axis Y_(p) in the platform coordinate system.

The robot may have a drive vector that may have axes X_(d), Y_(d), andZ_(d) that is mapped to the camera coordinate system, the platformcoordinate system or some other system. By way of example, the y-axisY_(p) may extend in the direction of forward motion. Mapping includesthe process of transforming an input command into a directional movementrelative to one or more coordinate systems. The robot controller mayperform certain algorithms to translate input commands to platformmovement in accordance with a specified mapping scheme. For example,when the drive vector is mapped to the camera coordinate system thecontroller computes the drive vector of the input command relative tothe camera coordinate system. In a platform mapping scheme the inputdrive vector is computed relative to the platform coordinate system. Inyet another scheme the drive vector can be computed relative to anothercoordinate system, such as a world coordinate system (eg. coordinatesystem relative to the ground) that is independent of the camera orplatform coordinate systems. Mapping the drive vector to the cameracoordinate system may be desirable because all movement would berelative to the image viewed by the user, providing a system that isintuitive to use.

A twisting of the joystick 32 may cause the camera 38 to swivel asindicated by arrows 4. For example, if the joystick 32 is twisted +45degrees the camera 38 will pivot +45 degrees. Swiveling the camera 38also moves the y-axis Y_(c) of the camera coordinate system, because they-axis Y_(c) is fixed to the camera. This may be different than thedrive direction. The remote station computer may operate a program togenerate a command that will automatically rotate the platform 110 torealign the y-axis Y_(p) of the platform coordinate system with they-axis Y_(c) of the camera coordinate system. For the above example, theplatform 110 is rotated +45 degrees. This approach keeps the platform110 aligned with the camera 38, so that any subsequent movement of therobot will be intuitive relative to the image provided by the camera.For example, a forward pivot of the joystick will induce a forwardmovement of the robot as viewed through the monitor of the remotestation. In this driving scheme, the platform may not be aligned withthe head. The computer may generate trajectory planning for the platformcoordinate system to move into alignment with the head coordinate systemover a period of time or distance traveled, with or without an initialdelay in time or some distance.

The system may be configured so that pivotal movement of the joystick 32may be mapped to a corresponding directional movement of the robot asshown in FIG. 5. For example, pivoting the joystick along the +45 degreeline shown in FIG. 5 may cause the robot to move in a +45 degreedirection relative to the y-axis Y_(c) of the camera coordinate frame.Alternatively, the camera may pan +45 degrees and the platform 110 mayrotate +45 degrees before forward movement by the robot. The automaticpanning and platform rotation causes the robot to move in a forwarddirection as depicted by the image provided by the camera. The robot mayhave a mode wherein the user can twist the joystick to pan the cameraduring robot movement such that the movement is not in the direction thecamera is pointing. This allows the user to visually pan while movingthe robot. The joystick may have a spring return that automaticallyreturns the position of the stick when released by the user. This causesthe camera to be aligned with the direction of movement.

In general the robot may have a number of different mapping schemes andrelative, dependent or independent, movement between the camera, theplatform and drive direction. Relative movement between the camera andplatform may occur in a camera based mapping scheme, a platform basedmapping scheme, or some other scheme.

Although, the automatic platform rotation commands have been describedas be generated by the remote station computer, it is to be understoodthat the robot may determine the commands and signals necessary tore-orient the platform 110 and/or the camera 38. The robot 12 mayinclude a potentiometer (not shown) that tracks the position of thecamera and provides feedback to the low level controller 80. The lowlevel controller 80 may automatically rotate the platform to align they-axes Y_(c) and Y_(p) or otherwise compensate for camera movement. Themode button 33 may allow the operator to place the system in either atracking mode or a normal mode. In the tracking mode the robot movesrelative to the camera coordinate system so that movement is intuitiverelative to the screen even when the camera is panned. In normal modethe robot moves within the platform coordinate system.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a holonomic platform 110 may include threeroller assemblies 120 that are mounted to a base plate 121. The rollerassemblies 120 are typically equally spaced about the platform 110 andallow for movement in any direction, although it is to be understoodthat the assemblies may not be equally spaced.

The robot housing 112 may include a bumper 122. The bumper 122 may becoupled to optical position sensors 123 that detect when the bumper 122has engaged an object. After engagement with the object the robot candetermine the direction of contact and prevent further movement into theobject.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a roller assembly 120. Each assembly 120may include a drive ball 124 that is driven by a pair of transmissionrollers 126. The assembly 120 may include a retainer ring 128 and aplurality of bushings 130 that captures and allows the ball 124 torotate in an x and y direction but prevents movement in a z direction.The assembly also holds the ball under the transmission rollers 126.

The transmission rollers 126 are coupled to a motor assembly 132. Theassembly 132 corresponds to the motor 88 shown in FIG. 3. The motorassembly 132 includes an output pulley 134 attached to a motor 136. Theoutput pulley 134 is coupled to a pair of ball pulleys 138 by a drivebelt 140. The ball pulleys 138 are each attached to a transmissionbracket 142. The transmission rollers 126 are attached to thetransmission brackets 142.

Rotation of the output pulley 134 rotates the ball pulleys 138. Rotationof the ball pulleys 138 causes the transmission rollers 126 to rotateand spin the ball 124 through frictional forces. Spinning the ball 124will move the robot 12. The transmission rollers 126 are constructed toalways be in contact with the drive ball 124. The brackets 142 allow thetransmission rollers 126 to freely spin in a direction orthogonal to thedrive direction when one of the other roller assemblies 120 is drivingand moving the robot 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pedestal assembly 114 may include a motor 150that is coupled to a gear 152 by a belt 154. The gear 152 is attached toa shaft 156. The shaft 156 is attached to an arm 158 that is coupled tothe camera 38 and monitor 40 by a bracket 160. Activation of the motor150 rotates the gear 152 and sleeve 156, and causes the camera 38 andmonitor 40 to swivel (see also FIG. 4) as indicated by the arrows 4.

As shown in FIG. 9, the assembly 114 may further include a tilt motor162 within the arm 158 that can cause the monitor 40 and camera 38 topivot as indicated by the arrows 5. The tilt motor 162 may rotate a worm164 that rotates a worm gear 166. The pin 168 is rigidly attached toboth the worm gear 166 and the bracket 160 so that rotation of the gear166 pivots the camera 38 and the monitor 40. The camera 38 may alsoinclude a zoom feature to provide yet another degree of freedom for theoperator.

In operation, the robot 12 may be placed in a home or a facility whereone or more patients are to be monitored and/or assisted. The facilitymay be a hospital or a residential care facility. By way of example, therobot 12 may be placed in a home where a health care provider maymonitor and/or assist the patient. Likewise, a friend or family membermay communicate with the patient. The cameras and monitors at both therobot and remote control stations allow for teleconferencing between thepatient and the person at the remote station(s).

The robot 12 can be maneuvered through the home or facility bymanipulating the input device 32 at a remote station 16. The robot 10may be controlled by a number of different users. To accommodate forthis the robot may have an arbitration system. The arbitration systemmay be integrated into the operating system of the robot 12. Forexample, the arbitration technique may be embedded into the operatingsystem of the high-level controller 50.

By way of example, the users may be divided into classes that includethe robot itself, a local user, a caregiver, a doctor, a family member,or a service provider. The robot 12 may override input commands thatconflict with robot operation. For example, if the robot runs into awall, the system may ignore all additional commands to continue in thedirection of the wall. A local user is a person who is physicallypresent with the robot. The robot could have an input device that allowslocal operation. For example, the robot may incorporate a voicerecognition system that receives and interprets audible commands.

A caregiver is someone who remotely monitors the patient. A doctor is amedical professional who can remotely control the robot and also accessmedical files contained in the robot memory. The family and serviceusers remotely access the robot. The service user may service the systemsuch as by upgrading software, or setting operational parameters.

The robot 12 may operate in one of two different modes; an exclusivemode, or a sharing mode. In the exclusive mode only one user has accesscontrol of the robot. The exclusive mode may have a priority assigned toeach type of user. By way of example, the priority may be in order oflocal, doctor, caregiver, family and then service user. In the sharingmode two or more users may share access with the robot. For example, acaregiver may have access to the robot, the caregiver may then enter thesharing mode to allow a doctor to also access the robot. Both thecaregiver and the doctor can conduct a simultaneous tele-conference withthe patient.

The arbitration scheme may have one of four mechanisms; notification,timeouts, queue and call back. The notification mechanism may informeither a present user or a requesting user that another user has, orwants, access to the robot. The timeout mechanism gives certain types ofusers a prescribed amount of time to finish access to the robot. Thequeue mechanism is an orderly waiting list for access to the robot. Thecall back mechanism informs a user that the robot can be accessed. Byway of example, a family user may receive an e-mail message that therobot is free for usage. Tables I and II, show how the mechanismsresolve access request from the various users.

TABLE I Access Medical Command Software/Debug Set User Control RecordOverride Access Priority Robot No No Yes (1) No No Local No No Yes (2)No No Caregiver Yes Yes Yes (3) No No Doctor No Yes No No No Family NoNo No No No Service Yes No Yes Yes Yes

TABLE II Requesting User Local Caregiver Doctor Family Service CurrentLocal Not Allowed Warn current user of Warn current user of Warn currentuser of Warn current user of User pending user pending user pending userpending user Notify requesting Notify requesting user Notify requestinguser Notify requesting user that system is in that system is in use thatsystem is in use user that system is in use Set timeout = 5m Set timeout= 5m use Set timeout Call back No timeout Call back Caregiver Warncurrent user Not Allowed Warn current user of Warn current use Warncurrent user of of pending user. pending user pending user pending userNotify requesting Notify requesting user Notify requesting user Notifyrequesting user that system is that system is in use that system is inuse user that system is in in use, Set timeout = 5m Set timeout = 5m useRelease control Queue or callback No timeout Callback Doctor Warncurrent user Warn current user of Warn current user of Notify requestinguser Warn current user of of pending user pending user pending user thatsystem is in use pending user Notify requesting Notify requesting Notifyrequesting user No timeout Notify requesting user that system is userthat system is in that system is in use Queue or callback user thatsystem is in in use use No timeout use Release control Set timeout = 5mCallback No timeout Callback Family Warn current user Notify requestingWarn current user of Warn current user of Warn current user of ofpending user user that system is in pending user pending user pendinguser Notify requesting use Notify requesting user Notify requesting userNotify requesting user that system is No timeout that system is in usethat system is in use user that system is in in use Put in queue or Settimeout = 1m Set timeout = 5m use Release Control callback Queue orcallback No timeout Callback Service Warn current user Notify requestingWarn current user of Warn current user of Not Allowed of pending useruser that system is in request pending user Notify requesting use Notifyrequesting user Notify requesting user user that system is No timeoutthat system is in use that system is in use in use Callback No timeoutNo timeout No timeout Callback Queue or callback

The information transmitted between the station 16 and the robot 12 maybe encrypted. Additionally, the user may have to enter a password toenter the system 10. A selected robot is then given an electronic key bythe station 16. The robot 12 validates the key and returns another keyto the station 16. The keys are used to encrypt information transmittedin the session.

The robot 12 and remote station 16 transmit commands through thebroadband network 18. The commands can be generated by the user in avariety of ways. For example, commands to move the robot may begenerated by moving the joystick 32 (see FIG. 1). The commands arepreferably assembled into packets in accordance with TCP/IP protocol.Table III provides a list of control commands that are generated at theremote station and transmitted to the robot through the network.

TABLE III Control Commands Command Example Description drive drive 10.00.0 5.0 The drive command directs the robot to move at the specifiedvelocity (in cm/sec) in the (x, y) plane, and turn its facing at thespecified rate (degrees/sec). goodbye goodbye The goodbye commandterminates a user session and relinquishes control of the robotgotoHomePosition gotoHomePosition 1 The gotoHomePosition command movesthe head to a fixed “home” position (pan and tilt), and restores zoom todefault value. The index value can be 0, 1, or 2. The exact pan/tiltvalues for each index are specified in robot configuration files. headhead vel pan 5.0 tilt The head command controls the head motion. 10.0 Itcan send commands in two modes, identified by keyword: either positional(“pos”) or velocity (“vol”). In velocity mode, the pan and tilt valuesare desired velocities of the head on the pan and tilt axes, indegree/sec. A single command can include just the pan section, or justthe tilt section, or both. keepalive keepalive The keepalive commandcauses no action, but keeps the communication (socket) link open so thata session can continue. In scripts, it can be used to introduce delaytime into the action. odometry odometry 5 The odometry command enablesthe flow of odometry messages from the robot. The argument is the numberof times odometry is to be reported each second. A value of 0 turnsodometry off. reboot reboot The reboot command causes the robot computerto reboot immediately. The ongoing session is immediately broken off.restoreHeadPosition restoreHeadPosition The restoreHeadPositionfunctions like the gotoHomePosition command, but it homes the head to aposition previously saved with gotoHomePosition. saveHeadPositionsaveHeadPosition The saveHeadPosition command causes the robot to savethe current head position (pan and tilt) in a scratch location intemporary storage so that this position can be restored. Subsequentcalls to “restoreHeadPosition” will restore this saved position. Eachcall to saveHeadPosition overwrites any previously saved position.setCameraFocus setCameraFocus 100.0 The setCameraFocus command controlsfocus for the camera on the robot side. The value sent is passed “raw”to the video application running on the robot, which interprets itaccording to its own specification. setCameraZoom setCameraZoom 100.0The setCameraZoom command controls zoom for the camera on the robotside. The value sent is passed “raw” to the video application running onthe robot, which interprets it according to its own specification.shutdown Shutdown The shutdown command shuts down the robot and powersdown its computer. stop stop The stop command directs the robot to stopmoving immediately. It is assumed this will be as sudden a stop as themechanism can safely accommodate. timing Timing 3245629 500 The timingmessage is used to estimate message latency. It holds the UCT value(seconds + milliseconds) of the time the message was sent, as recordedon the sending machine. To do a valid test, you must compare results ineach direction (i.e., sending from machine A to machine B, then frommachine B to machine A) in order to account for differences in theclocks between the two machines. The robot records data internally toestimate average and maximum latency over the course of a session, whichit prints to log files. userTask userTask “Jane Doe” The userTaskcommand notifies the robot of “Remote Visit” the current user and task.It typically is sent once at the start of the session, although it canbe sent during a session if the user and/or task change. The robot usesthis information for record-keeping.

Table IV provides a list of reporting commands that are generated by therobot and transmitted to the remote station through the network.

TABLE IV Reporting Commands Command Example Description abnormalExitabnormalExit This message informs the user that the robot software hascrashed or otherwise exited abnormally. Te robot software catches top-level exceptions and generates this message if any such exceptionsoccur. bodyType bodyType 3 The bodyType message informs the stationwhich type body (using the numbering of the mechanical team) the currentrobot has. This allows the robot to be drawn correctly in the stationuser interface, and allows for any other necessary body-specificadjustments. driveEnabled driveEnabled true This message is sent at thestart of a session to indicate whether the drive system is operational.emergencyShutdown emergencyShutdown This message informs the stationthat the robot software has detected a possible “runaway” condition (anfailure causing the robot to move out of control) and is shutting theentire system down to prevent hazardous motion. odometry odometry 10 20340 The odometry command reports the current (x, y) position (cm) andbody orientation (degrees) of the robot, in the original coordinatespace of the robot at the start of the session. sensorGroup group_dataSensors on the robot are arranged into groups, each group of a singletype (bumps, range sensors, charge meter, etc.) The sensorGroup messageis sent once per group at the start of each session. It contains thenumber, type, locations, and any other relevant data for the sensors inthat group. The station assumes nothing about the equipment carried onthe robot; everything it knows about the sensors comes from thesensorGroup messages. sensorState groupName state data The sensorStatecommand reports the current state values for a specified group ofsensor. The syntax and interpretation for the state data is specific toeach group. This message is sent once for each group at each sensorevaluation (normally several times per second). systemError systemErrorThis message informs the station user of a driveController failure inone of the robot's subsystems. The error_type argument indicates whichsubsystem failed, including driveController, sensorController, headHome.systemInfo systemInfo wireless 45 This message allows regular reportingof information that falls outside the sensor system such as wirelesssignal strength. text text “This is some The text string sends a textstring from the text” robot to the station, where the string isdisplayed to the user. This message is used mainly for debugging.version version 1.6 This message identifies the software versioncurrently running on the robot. It is sent once at the start of thesession to allow the station to do any necessary backward compatibilityadjustments.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile robot system that is controlled throughan input device, comprising: a robot that has a camera within a camerareference coordinate system fixed to said camera and a mobile platform;and, an input device that causes movement of said camera and said mobileplatform within the camera reference coordinate system.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said input device is a joystick.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein said input device includes a mode button that allows thesystem to be switched between a mode wherein said mobile platform moveswithin the camera reference coordinate system or a mode wherein saidmobile platform moves within a platform reference coordinate system. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein said mobile platform rotates to align anaxis of a platform reference coordinate system fixed to said mobileplatform with an axis of the camera reference coordinate system.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein movement of said mobile platform isaccompanied by a movement of said camera.
 6. The system of claim 2,wherein twisting said joystick causes rotation of said camera andpivoting said joystick causes said mobile platform to move.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a computer coupled to said inputdevice and said robot.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising awireless base station coupled to said robot and said input device. 9.The system of claim 8, further comprising a broadband network that iscoupled to said wireless base station and said input device.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said robot includes a monitor.
 11. A mobilerobot system that is controlled through an input device, comprising: arobot that has a camera within a camera reference coordinate systemfixed to said camera, and a mobile platform; and, input means for movingsaid camera and said mobile platform within the camera referencecoordinate system.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said input meansincludes a joystick.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said inputmeans includes a mode button that allows the system to be switchedbetween a mode wherein said mobile platform moves within the camerareference system or a mode wherein said mobile platform moves within aplatform reference coordinate system.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein said mobile platform rotates to align an axis of a platformreference coordinate system fixed to said mobile platform with an axisof the camera reference coordinate system.
 15. The system of claim 11,wherein movement of said mobile platform is accompanied by a movement ofsaid camera.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein twisting said joystickcauses rotation of said camera and pivoting said joystick causes saidmobile platform to move.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein said inputmeans includes a computer.
 18. The system of claim 11, furthercomprising a wireless base station coupled to said robot and said inputmeans.
 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a broadbandnetwork that is coupled to said wireless base station and said inputmeans.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot includes a monitor.21. A method for controlling a robot, comprising: moving a camera of arobot within a camera reference coordinate system that is fixed to thecamera; and, moving the robot within the camera reference coordinatesystem.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the robot is in a mode wherethe robot moves within a platform reference coordinate system.
 23. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the robot has a mobile platform with aplatform reference coordinate system, and the mobile platform is rotatedso that an axis of a platform reference coordinate system is alignedwith an axis of the camera reference coordinate system.
 24. The methodof claim 21, wherein the robot receives commands from a wireless basestation.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the command is transmittedthrough a broadband network.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein thecamera and robot are moved through manipulation of a joystick.